BLANCHESTER — Running out of gas in the second half, Blanchester gave up the final 21 points in a 28-14 loss to Paint Valley Friday at Barbour Memorial Field in the season opener.

The Wildcats used big plays — an 86 yard pass play from Levi Turner to Zack Musselman and a 94-yard kickoff return by Caleb Sears — to take a 14-7 lead over the visiting Bearcats.

BHS miscues gave Paint Valley its first score, when a Blanchester fumble led to a 7-0 PV lead midway through the first.

Both defenses were controlling the game. Sammy Roush came up with an interception for Blanchester. After forcing a Paint Valley punt, the Wildcats scored on the Turner to Musselman 86 yarder.

Trailing 7-6 at the break, Blanchester took the lead when Caleb Sears went 94 yards on the opening kickoff of the second half. With Ayden Basham’s two-point conversion run, Blanchester held a 14-7 lead.

The Wildcats had a fumble and interception on their following offensive drives as the Bearcats were turning things around with three unanswered touchdowns.

SUMMARY

Aug. 23, 2024

@Barbour Memorial Field

Bearcats 28, Wildcats 14

PV^7^0^14^7^^28

BL^0^6^8^0^^14

SCORING

First Quarter

PV: 10 yard run (PAT)

Second Quarter

BL: Zack Musselman 86 yard pass from Levi Turner (PAT Failed)

Third Quarter

BL: Caleb Sears 94 yard kickoff return (Ayden Basham run)

PV: 6 yard run (PAT)

PV 35 yard pass (2 Point Run)

Fourth Quarter

PV: 11 yard pass (PAT)

STATISTICS

TEAM

BLAN: 61 plays, 230 yards (198 passing, 32 rushing), 3 Fumbles Lost, 2 Interceptions, Penalties 9-58

PV: 74 plays, 435 yards (256 passing, 179 rushing), 2 Fumbles Lost, 1 Interception, Penalties 11-76

INDIVIDUAL

RUSHING

Blan: Reynolds 3-23, Sears 4-13, Behymer 3-(-9), Turner 2-(-13)

PASSING

Blan: Behymer 12-25-2, 107 yards; Turner 3-3-0, 91 yards, 1 TD

RECEIVING

Blan: Musselman 6-143-1, McEntire 4-30-0, Turner 2-7-0

TACKLES

Blan: Turner 5, Musselman 5, Malone 5 (1 sack), Allen 3 (1 sack), Reynolds 1 (1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), McEntire 1, Johnson 2